News and Reviews

November 2018

When Tim Marshall began to make outdoor gear for the backpacking trips he led as a youth pastor in Winona, Minn., he had no grand plans to make the hobby a business. But some 15 years later, Enlightened Equipment, the company that evolved from Marshall’s leisure pursuit, makes some of the most sought-after ultralight camping quilts...

Camping out of a supercar, as your humble author found out recently during a cross-California jaunt in a Lamborghini Huracan Performante, isn't the smartest concept in the world—fun though it may be. But equip yourself wisely, and it becomes—well, if not a bright idea, at least a brighter one...

If Colorado’s backcountry has felt a little less, well, backcountry in recent years, you’re not crazy. Since 2013, the number of backcountry campers in Colorado’s national parks and monuments has jumped by an average of 110 percent. Part of that growth might be due to the greater availability of super light gear...

May 2018

I’d consider myself a pretty experienced backpacker—last summer, I spent more than three months backpacking 1,000 miles. But it was only two years before that I went on my first backpacking trip. It was 10 miles one way, I didn’t prepare properly, and I hadn't really hiked before...

March 2018

Below is the list of gear I am currently planning to take on my AT thru-hike beginning in March 2018. This is a living post and will be updated if I make any changes. At this point I don’t suspect I will be making too many changes, but you never know...

February 2018

"Ultralight" is a new category of gear centered around carrying the most lightweight and simplest equipment, typically while on a thru-hike. In theory, ultralight sounds delightful. After all, lugging less weight around on the trail allows for speedier travel and longer days in comfort...

July 2017

Sustainable Down Source, the ethical, innovative and sustainable solution for bulk down, and creator of DownTek™ — the revolutionary hydrophobic and quick-drying down technology today announced that Minnesota-based Enlightened Equipment, a leader in the ultralight market, is the first US company to integrate DownTek™ ZeroPFC™ throughout their entire down product line...

Over the last few years, backpack hunting has steadily increased in popularity with more hunters trying to live out of their packs and hunt the backcountry. Perhaps, it’s because of the appeal of having a truly wild hunt. For me, it’s because backpack hunting offers the ultimate adventure...

February 2017

November 2016

I recently had the opportunity to interview Tim Marshall, owner of Enlightened Equipment, based out of Winona, Minnesota (population 27,000), which has been a rising company within the ultralight outdoor industry for the last few years...

From the shoes on your feet to your daily dose of caffeine, many consumer and retail companies are giving people the opportunity to add a flair of customization to the products they buy, generating growth and brand loyalty in the process...

December 2009

Monday morning, interview morning. Coffee ready, looking busy at work while "doing research"? Good. The interview of this week is with Tim Marshall from enLIGHTened equipment. Tim is most famous for producing the “World’s Lightest Quilt” which is made of Cuben...